Suspension Concentrate (SC) is a liquid formulation of pesticide in which insoluble active ingredients are finely dispersed in an aqueous phase with the aid of dispersing agents, wetting agents, and other stabilizing additives. This formulation is dust-free, safe, environmentally friendly, and increasingly adopted as a preferred alternative to traditional forms such as Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) and Wettable Powders (WP)
The SL (Soluble Liquid) formulation is a liquid-type pesticide formulation in which the active ingredient is dissolved in water or a water‑miscible organic solvent. To enhance the performance and efficacy of SL formulations, penetration adjuvants and surfactants (wetting agents) are commonly incorporated into the formulation.
To ensure that an SL formulation remains highly effective and stable throughout storage, the active ingredient used must meet several critical requirements: it must be soluble and stable in water or polar solvents, must not crystallize when stored at low temperatures, and must exhibit good resistance to hydrolysis to maintain long‑term product stability.
The EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) formulation is a liquid pesticide formulation in which the active ingredient is dissolved in a solvent together with emulsifiers.
ECs remain one of the most widely used formulation types for crop protection products worldwide. When diluted with water in a spray tank, an EC forms a fine emulsion, with droplet sizes typically ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 µm. In some cases, larger double‑emulsion droplets may also form, exceeding 50 µm in size. The spontaneous formation of this emulsion is achieved by selecting one or more surfactants capable of emulsifying the solvent system (including the active ingredient) into water. Achieving the proper balance between water‑soluble and oil‑soluble surfactants at the water/solvent interface is essential for creating a physically stable emulsion system.
During spraying, the diluted emulsion ensures uniform and precise distribution of the active ingredient on the crop surface—an essential factor for effective pest control.
EW (Emulsion in Water) formulations are stable emulsions in which a water‑insoluble liquid is dispersed within a continuous aqueous phase. This water‑insoluble liquid may be a liquid active ingredient or a solid active ingredient that has been dissolved in a suitable solvent.
Compared with EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) formulations, EW formulations are considered a safer and more environmentally friendly option because water is used as the continuous phase instead of organic solvents. This reduces phytotoxicity, minimizes fire and explosion hazards, simplifies handling, and lowers the environmental impact.
A microemulsion (ME) is defined as a system consisting of oil, water, and surfactants that forms a single‑phase, transparent, and thermodynamically stable emulsion.
ME formulations are typically water‑based products with extremely small droplet sizes, which gives them their transparent appearance. They are thermodynamically stable over a wide temperature range due to their very fine droplet size, typically between 0.01 and 0.05 µm. Therefore, unlike conventional emulsions—where oil droplets may gradually aggregate and cause phase separation—this phenomenon does not occur in microemulsions.
An OD (Oil Dispersible) formulation is a type of pesticide formulation in which a solid active ingredient is dispersed in an oil phase. The oil used may be paraffinic oil, aromatic solvents, vegetable oils, or methylated seed oils. In an ideal OD formulation, the active ingredient is uniformly dispersed throughout the oil phase.
OD formulations are particularly effective for water‑sensitive active ingredients, such as those in the sulfonylurea group. However, OD technology is increasingly applied to many other active ingredients due to several outstanding advantages: improved spray adhesion on leaf surfaces, uniform dispersion, and enhanced foliar uptake. In addition, the oil phase in OD formulations often acts as an adjuvant, contributing to increased biological efficacy.
A suspo‑emulsion (SE) is a formulation used to combine two active ingredients with very different physical properties in a single product. It represents a hybrid technology that integrates both suspension concentrate (SC) and concentrated oil‑in‑water emulsion (EW) systems.
SE = SC + EW
